Kwakiutl Community Celebrates New Doctor

Kwakiutl Band members got together to celebrate mothers and a returning daughter on May 1.

The daughter was Sarah Hunt, who received her Bachelor of Arts and Master’s degrees from the University of Victoria and most recently her Ph.D. from Simon Fraser University.

Dr. Hunt has joined the First Nations and Indigenous Studies program at the University of British Columbia as assistant professor of Critical Indigenous Geographies.

Prior to starting her position at UBC, she was Scholar-in-Residence at Vancouver Island University and postdoctoral fellow at the National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health.

“We’re celebrating Sarah’s accomplishments in her education,” said Band Councillor Davina Hunt.

Dr. Hunt was a keynote speaker at the event (that was attended by elders, community members and youth) talking about education and inspiring the students at Wagalus and Eke Me-Xi schools to pursue further education, said Hunt.

Dr. Hunt is a shining example of how “Aboriginal people can be successful in post-secondary education,” said Hunt.

“I’m so happy. It’s so good to be proud of her accomplishments and for lifting our community up,” Hunt said, adding that Dr. Hunt is now working on Vancouver Island “so close to home”.

“It’s such an honour and a privilege to welcome you,” said Elder Violet Bracic. “We hope that the youth will continue with their education.”

“A person’s accomplishments are a testament to their family and their community,” said Band Land and Resource Manager Tom Child, adding that “we have to find space for all opportunities for education that come to us.”.

“The journey through education can take many forms and we have to be open to learning in all different ways,” Dr. Hunt told the audience. One thing she has learned is that “we all have something to teach each other and the world out there.”